The Clock Forgets Me When I Forget the Clock

There are moments in life when the hands of the clock become invisible. Not because time stops—but because something more important starts. For me, it’s not the tick-tock that guides my day but the moments that make me forget it exists.

Let’s start with the obvious villain and hero: my office work. When I sit down with my laptop, I blink and it’s suddenly evening. One task leads to another, then emails, then meetings, then deadlines sneak up like uninvited relatives. “I just logged in five minutes ago,” I say—to no one in particular—while it’s already time for dinner. Work has this peculiar ability to eat hours like popcorn.

But when I step out of the work mode, another time trap awaits—my kids. We start with hide-and-seek, which quickly becomes a wrestling match, then a dance-off, and finally an art session involving more marker on the walls than the paper. Time? What’s that? “Play is the highest form of research,” said Einstein, probably while covered in paint by toddlers.

Then comes the quiet thief of hours—a good book. If it has drama, emotion, wit, and just enough mystery to keep my eyes glued, I’m done for. I look up from the page and it’s midnight, my tea cold, my posture questionable, and my heart full. Books don’t just tell stories—they kidnap me.

But the crown jewel of my time-slipping experiences? Being with my friends. We meet for “just an hour,” and suddenly it’s four, we’ve had coffee, laughter, gossip, shared parenting trauma, random movie quotes, and deep philosophical breakdowns like, “Do penguins have knees?” As the saying goes, “Time flies when you’re having rumoured stories and chai.”

Losing track of time isn’t a loss. It’s a gift, a subtle whisper from the universe: You’re exactly where you need to be.

So here’s a thought to ponder:
What if the best way to measure a life well-lived isn’t in hours clocked, but in moments that made us forget to count?

If time is money, then these moments are my finest currency. And luckily, my wallet overflows. 🕰️✨